Self-venting valve



March 18, 1952 J, B, MGCAB 2,589,622

SELF-VENTING VALVE Filed June 28, 1948 2 Sl-lEETS-Sl-{EET 1 Y J. MCCAB SELF-VENTING VALVE March 18, 1.952

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Filed June 28, 1948 l I -INVENTOR.

lay/

AfifoE/VZQS.

Patented Mar. 18, 1952n SELF-VENTING VALVE John B. McCabe, Milwaukee, Wis., assignor to The Heil Co., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Application June 28, 1948, Serial No. 35,589

14 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in selfventing valves and, more particularly, to selfventing valves for use on liquid transport tanks.

Present day liquid transport tanks usually employ conventional valves for use in draining the same, and in this type of tank a manhole is usually provided in the top as a venting means. This top manhole also serves the purpose of providing access to the interior for cleaning. Some venting means is necessary, because otherwise exhaustion of the liquid from the tank will so reduce the pressure therein as to result in collapse caused by the pressure of the atmosphere on the exterior thereof.

The use of top manholes is unsafe because access thereto requires that the operator climb up on the tank. In addition, top manholes are objectionable from a sanitary standpoint when the tank is used for transporting a food product such as milk, because foreign matter may drop into the tank when said manhole is opened and cause contamination.

It is therefore a general object of the invention to provide a self-venting valve which eliminates the necessity of using a top manhole.

A further object of the invention is to provide a self-venting valve which may be operated from the ground level and which thereby eliminates the need for the operator to climb up on the tank before and after a draining or filling operation.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve of the class described which permits the elimination of the top manhole and thereby permits the use of a manhole in the head or end of the tank for cleaning purposes.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve which may be used to either empty or ll the tank with which it is in communication and which allows free egress or ingress of air during said lling or emptying operations.

A further more specific object of the invention is to provide a valve adapted to be mounted in the end of a tank and which has associated therewith a vent conduit extending to the upper portion of the interior of the tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve of the class described having means associated therewith for draining the vent conduit prior to opening of the valve to thereby permit drainage of the tank.

A further object of the invention is to provide a valve of the class described which is sturdy in construction, which is easily disassembled and cleaned, and which is otherwise well adapted for the purposes described.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of the improved self-venting valve, and all its parts and combinations, as set forth in the claims, and all equivalents thereof.

A clear conception of the construction and op-` eration of the improved valve will be had by reference to the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application, wherein is illustrated one complete embodiment of the preferred form of the invention, and wherein the same reference numerals indicate the same parts in all of the views:

Fig. 1 is a longitudinal fragmentary vertical sectional view taken through the rear portion of a tank to which the improved valve is connected,A

showing the valve in closed position, a portion of Fig. 1 being indicated by the line I-I in Fig. 4.

Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1 but showing the valve in position to permit drainage of the venting conduit;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Figs. 1 and 2, but showing the valve in position for draining or 1i11- ing the tank while simultaneously venting said tank;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary end View of the tank and valve looking from the rear; and

Fig. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Referring more particularly to Fig. 1, of the drawing, the numeral I0 indicates a substantially horizontally extending cylindrical tank, suchas a truck tank or trailerized tank, having an end portion or crown I I. The crown I I is formed with a flanged drain opening I2 in its lower portion. Connected to the flanged opening I2 by means of suitable screws I3 is theliiange I4 of a tubular housing I5. A suitable gasket I6 of rubber or other material is preferably interposed between the flanges I2 and I4. The housing I5 is formed on its outer end with suitable external threading I'I, and projecting downwardly from a side portion thereof is a tubular extension or outlet pipe I8 which is formed at its lower end with external threading I9. The housing I5 is preferably formed with an interior annular bevelled seat 20 adjacent that end which has the external threads Il.

Positioned over the outer end of the housing I5 in the preferred form of the invention is a circular plate 2| formed with a peripheral bevelled surface 22 which registers with the bevelled seat 20 of the housing I5. The plate 2| is formed with an axially outwardly projecting boss 23 which is formed with external threading 24. The plate 2I and the boss 23 are axially 3 bored as at 25, and the plate 2I is held in position against the end of the housing I5 Aby an annular collar member 26 which is formed with internal threading 26 for engagement with the threading I1 of the housing I5.

Threaded on the bcss 23 is a cap or collar 21, from the outer surface of which projects a pair of oppositely disposed substantially parallel arms 28. The arms 28 at their outer'ends project inwardly and merge into a centrally disposed hub 29. Adjacent the curved portions of the arms 28; a pair of oppositely disposed handles 33 project` outwardly in a diametrical direction. The cap or collar 21 is preferably axially apertured as at- 3I to a size slightly less than that of lthe-bore 25, and the hub 29 is centrally apertured as at 32 to a size slightly less than that of the aperture 3|; The structure just described is usually termed a bonnet in its entirety.

An elongated tubular valve stem 33 is axially positionedwithinthe housing.v I5 in; the bore. 25 andlin. thesaperture3I. Thestem 33is formed. atA its'outer end with a.r portion of reduced outer diameter 34A which is substantially the samef size asthat of the aperture 3l in the cap 21. The outer diameter of the remainder of the sternv 3?. is substantially equal to the diameter of the bore 25. FormedV on an intermediate portion ofv the exterior of the stem 33 islacircular flange forming apoppet valve 35which has an outer diameter substantially equal to the inner diameter ofl the housing I5. When the device is/-arranged inthe position shown in Fig. 1, peripheral portions of the inner surface of the poppet valve 35 are` seatedfon ani annular shoulder 33? formed in the interior of! the member I5.

Extending inwardly fromthe outer endof the stem 331 isa portionY of enlarged inner diameter 31 which terminates in a bevelled annular seat- 38. A cylindrical plunger 39 having an outside diameter substantially equal to the diameter of the portion-31 is adaptedto'beslidablypositioned in the portion 31 ofthe stern 33 and is formed at its inner end With a bevelled annular surface 4'0 which isy adapted to register with the bevelled seat 38 of the stem 33. Theplunger 33isformed adjacent its outer end with a portion of reduced outer diameter substantially equal to the bore 32 inv thel hub 29 which reduced portion extends throughY said hub. The plunger 39 extends beyond the hub 29Y aV sufficient distance for the reception'of a snap key 4I on a portion off further reduced diameter 42. It is apparent that the plunger 39- is connected for axial movement with the' hub 29 and the cap 21.

Positioned around the plunger Sii'loetween the hub 29and theouter end of'thestem 33 is a helical spring 43' which is in compressed conditionl when the device is arranged inthe position shown inv Fig. 1; The stem 33is formed with an Vaperturer 44 through the wall thereof which is= spaced slightly outwardly from the bevelled seat 33. When the plunger 39 is in the position-shown in` Fig: 1, the aperture 44 is interiorly closedv off, and thel plunger 39 is rmly seated on the seat 38` ofthe stem 33.

The inner end of the stem 33 projects into'thel tank Il)` as'shown in Fig. 1. By meansof a suitable,` preferably easily disconnectable,V elbovv` 45, the inner end of the stem 33l communicates with a vertically extending vent conduit 43. TheV conduit 4j3 extends upwardly through a collar 41 formed with an annular flange 48` to within'` a short distance from the'top of the Vinterior of the tankv I'Il.

A channel member 49 is preferably connected at one end to an upper portion of the tank head I I and extends horizontally forward. The channel 4'9 at its forward end preferably extends angularly upwardly, as at 53,*and is connected to the top of the tank as at 5I. The web of the channel 49 is formed with a longitudinal slot 53 which is adapted to slidably receive the collar 41, and the flange" 43v of the collar 41 is adapted to rest upon the upper surface of the channel 49, asis clearly shown in Fig. 5.

Operation When the tank I0 is substantially full, the valve mechanism is normally in the position shown in Fig: 1. In transit, a certain amount of the liquid in the tank IEB will splash into the vent conduit 43. When it is desired to empty the tank I3, or discharge therefrom, the first step in the operation is to unscrew the cap 21 from the boss 23lcy meansv of the handles 33.. Upon disengagement of thecap21 from thethreadst of the boss 23, the spring 43",. which had'p-revi.` ously been in :compressed condition, expands axially to move the cap 211 andthe plunger 39 axially outwardly to the position shown in Fig. 2. This` outward movement brings the plunger 39 oi.. the seat 38- and uncovers the aperture 44, therebycreating communicationbetween the interiorl of the stem 33, which is connected with the ventconduitli, and the interior of the housing I5, the latter having the outlet'- pipe I8; With the valve mechanism in this position', any'y liquid which has splashed into the vent conduit 46 dur-A ing transit is permitted to fl'ovvout the aperture 44 in the stem 33, into the interior of the housing I5 and out of the outlet pipe I8. Because ofthe location of the aperture i4-1in the position shown, all of the milk which hassplashed into the con'- duit 43during transit is directed into the outletA pipe I8 at this stage, rather than being lost and possibly spattered on the operator. This would probably be the case if, invFig; 2, theaperture 44 were positioned' outwardlyof the hub 23'a.nd`

the plunger 39 were shortened accordingly.

It will be'noted thatlwhen the cap 2.1-isrin the position shown in Fig. 2, itslouter surface adjacent theY bore 3'I isinengagement with a shoulder 52vr which is formed on the exterior of the stem- 33 by the portion of'reduced diameterv 34.

After all of? the liquid hasYY drained' out ofthe conduit 43`-and out of thestemt33, the-mechanism being arranged as shown-in Fig. 2',- then the-handles 3tlof the cap '21' are-grasped' loy'tllefoperator and pulled axially outwardly to b-ring the mecha-Y nism into theY position show-n inf Fig. 3. It will be noted that the stem 33'hasinowbeen-slidout-- wardly, and along withY it theL upstandingvent conduit 46 In the positionl off'Fig. 3, thepoppet valve 35 has been drawn outwardly offl oftheV annular seat 365 toa position outwardly of the outlet pipe I8; The liquid in the-tank lil-is now permitted to passout through the interior of the housing I5y and outi through the outlet pipe I8: In the position of Fig; 3, the aperture14`4eis positionedoutwardly' of the -boss- 2-3'v and provides a port for permitting air tube-admitted into the" tank IIltvia'the interiorfof the stem 33, the con-- nection 45, and the vent conduit 46;

I8V due to theefactthatadequate venting of the tank is provided, asjabovedescribed;

It is4 obvious that' the improved-valve mechanism when arranged as shown in- Fig.Y 3 maybe used equally well for either draining theM tank I0' The liquidi in the tank I9 will ow freely out the outlet pipe or for ii'lling the same. During a filling operation, the vent conduit 46 will provide means for egress of air from the tank, rather than a means for ingress of air thereto as is the casein a draining operation.

It Will be noted that the improved valve construction entirely eliminates the necessity of using a manhole for venting purposes, and therefore permits the cleaning manhole (not shown) to be positioned in a head l l of the tank l0. By eliminating top manholes, not only is the danger of climbing accidents eliminated, but, in addition, there is no longer any possibility of contamination of liquid, such as milk, in the tank I0 due to the entrance of foreign matter through an open top manhole.

The improved valve construction may be quickly and easily operated and may be quickly and easily disassembled and cleaned. Because of these features, the improved valve is particularly WellV adapted for use in tanks in which food products such as milk are transported- In order to make it possible to readily disassemble the cap 28 from the stem 33, the hole 3| communicates with an enlargement 3 l". Thus, when lthe spring clip 4l is removed from the plunger 39, the plunger may be pushed into the stem 33 far enough to permit transverse movement of the cap 28, after it is unthreaded, to a point where the enlargement 3l may be slipped over the shoulder 52. Thus, whenever cleaning is necessary, disassembly may be readily accomplished.

Various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and all of such changes are contemplated, as may come within the scope of the claims.

What I claim is:

1. A self-venting liquid valve comprising a housing adapted to be attached to a tank and having a tubular portion in communication with the interior thereof, said tubular portion of said housing being formed with a valve seat, a tubular stem mounted for axial movement relative to said housing, said stem having a poppet valve thereon which is adapted to coactl with said valve seat, and having its inner end projecting into said tank, a vent conduit in said tank to which said stem is connected, said tubular stem also being formed with an internal annular shoulder to provide an annular seat, and said stem being also formed with an aperture in a wall portion thereof outwardly of said annular seat, a plunger slidably positioned in the outer end of said stem and adapted to have its inner end coact with said annular seat for closing olf the interior of said stem, and a cap mounted on said stem and having a portion thereof connected to said plunger, said cap being threadedly engageable vwith said housing to releasably hold said plunger and said poppet valve in closed position.

2. A self-venting liquid valve comprising a housing adapted to be attached to a tank and having a tubular portion in communication with the interior thereof, said tubular portion of said housing being formed with a valve seat, a tubular stem mounted for axial movement relative to said housing, said stem having a poppet valve thereon which is adapted to coact with said valve seat, and having its inner end projecting into said tank, a vent conduit in said tank to which said stem is connected, said tubular stem also being formed with an internal annular shoulder to provide an annular seat. and said stem being also formed with an aperture in a wall portion thereof outwardly of said annular seat, a plunger slidably positioned in the outer end of said stem and adapted to have its inner end coact with said annular seat for closing olf the interior of said stem, a cap mounted on said stem and having a portion thereof connected to said plunger, and means for retaining said cap on said stem while permitting limited axial movement of said cap relative to said stem, said cap being threadedly engageable with said housing to releasably hold said plunger and said poppet valve in closed position.

3. A self-venting liquid valve comprising a fitting adapted to be attached to a tank and having a tubular portion in communication with the interior thereof, said tubular portion'of said fitting being formed with a valve seat, a tubular stem mounted for movement relative to said tting, said stem having a valve thereon which is adapted to coact with said valve seat, said tubular stem being formed near one end with a vent opening and having its opposite end projecting into said tank, a vent conduit in said tank to which said stem is connected, said tubular stem also being formed with an internal annular shoulder to provide an annular seat inwardly of said vent opening, a plunger slidably positioned in the outer end of said stem and adapted to have its inner end coact with said annular seat for closing on the interior of said stem, a cap mounted on said stem for limited axial movement and having a portion thereof connected to said plunger, said cap being threadedly engageable with said housing to releasably hold said plunger and said valve in closed position, and spring means normally urging said plunger and said cap outwardly relative to said stem, whereby upon disengagement of said cap from said housing said plunger will be drawn outwardly oi its seat to a position outwardly of said vent opening,

4. A self-venting liquid valve comprising a housing adapted to be attached to a tank and having a tubular portion in communication with the interior thereof, said tubular portion of said housing being formed with a valve seat, a tubular stern mounted for axial movement relative to said housing, said stem having a poppet valve thereon which is adapted to coact with said valve seat, and having its inner end projecting into said tank, a vent conduit in said tank to which said stem is connected, said tubular stem also being formed with an internal annular shoulder to provide an annular seat, and said stem being also formed with an aperture in a wall portion thereof outwardly of said annular seat, a plunger slidably positioned in the outer end of said stem and adapted to have its inner end coact with said annular seat for closing olf the interior of said stem, a cap mounted on said stern for limited axial movement and having a spaced hub portion connected to said plunger, said cap being threadedly engageable with said housing to releasably hold said plunger and said valve in closed position, and spring means associated with said stem and said hub for normally urging said hub outwardly relative to said stem, whereby upon disengagement of said cap from said housing said plunger will be drawn outwardly off its seat to a position outwardly of said aperture.A

5. A self-venting liquid valve comprising a housing adapted to be attached to a tank and having a tubular portion in communication with ture-inf a' Wall portion. thereof. outwardly ofVv said.

annular seat, a plunger slidablyv positionedin the outer-end-offsaid stem and adapted to have its inner end coact with said annular seat for closing-1y off the interior ofv said' stem, aw cap mountedon said' stemand having ahub por-Y tion= spacedoutwardly l therefrom and connectedv tosaid* plunger', meansfor retaining said cap on said' stem whilepermitting limited axial movementoffsaid capirelative-to said stem, said capbeing threadedlyiengageable with said hous-I ing torreleasablyhold said-*plunger and said poppet-valveinY closedA position, and a helical spring positioned around-said plunger and between saidr hubV and theouter end Vof said stem for"r normally urging saidhub outwardly relative toV saidstem, whereby upon disengagement' of' said cap from said housing said plunger will be, drawn outwardly offy its seat to av position outwardly of 'said aperture.

6.' A selieventing' liquid valve comprising: a

tubulartting having an open end', said fittingv being-adapted to be attached to a tankV with theV open end thereof inv communication' with the interior* of said tank, said itting being formed with an internal valve seat and withv an unobstructed dischargeiopening outwardly of saidvalveseat; a movably` mounted tubular stem projecting through a wall portion of said fitting and having a portion Within said tting provided With a valve which is adapted to coact with said valve seat, said stem being formed With aV vent. opening which is so located that itis positioned within said fitting for communication with saidrtting discharge'opening when the valve is` closed, and is. positioned externally of said tting Wall portion when said valve is open; a vent conduit within said tank connected to,said Stem. inwardly of `said valve, andmeans for. controlling said vent opening 7.I A self-lventing liquid valve comprising: a tubular fitting having an open end, said fitting being adapted to.b e attached to a tank with the open, end thereof. in comifnunicationv with the interior ofsaid tank, said fitting being formedY with an internal valve seat and, vvithv an unobstructed discharge opening outwardly of said valve seat; an axially movably mounted. tubular stem projecting through a Wall. portionv ofA said tting and having a portion extending axially. Withinsaid fitting provided with a valve which isadapted to coact. with said valve seat, said..stem being formed with avent opening. which is so locatedv that it isv positioned Withinsaidtting for communication with said *fitting discharge opening whenV the valve is closed, and is positioned externally of said itting Wall. portion Whensaid Valve is open; a ventconduit within said tank connected to said stem inwardly of. said valve, and means for.V

controlling said Vent opening.

8..A self-.venting liquid. valvev comprising: a tubularY tting` having an open end, saidfitting valve being adapted tog. ble.. attached.: to., a.: tank with... ther open. endi thereof; in; communication. with;

the; interior. ofi said; tank,.Y said tting. being;

formed with.. an internal.;l valve seatand; with'. an unobstructed discharge opening outwardlwof.

said, valvev seat.; a1. movably, mounted,A tubular stemprojecting. through a Wall' portion of.` said.

fitting andV having* a: portion Within.V said ting: provided; with a; valvel which.: is. adapted .to coact- WithY said valve.. seat, saidg stem being formed 'Withg aventi opening.A which .is .so located thatfitv isr positioned WithinY said. fitting.- forcem-y munication vvithk said: tting dischargeopening.-

When the.. Valve; is... closed andV is positioned.. ex ternally ofl said. fitting. Wall portion. Whensaid Valve is open; a vent conduit; Within said tank. connected to saidv stem inwardlyv of.- said' valve;

and. means normally closing,k said ven1',;ope;ning,` said; means being movableto open said vent. While the latter is .Within thev fitting, and in .comamunicationwith said tting. discharge opening.

9. A self-venting liquidvalve comprising.: a.

tubular iitting having an open end; said iitting being adapted tobeA attached to a tankwiththe open. end thereof incommunicatiouwith theinterior of said tank; said iitting being. formed with an internalivalve seat andwithan unobstructed discharge opening outwardly of saidy valve seat; a, movaely mounted'. tubular stem projecting through a Wall portion of saidiitting and having a portion Within said fitting provided With -a Valvewhich is adapted todcoact with said valve seat, said stein being formed with a vent opening Which is so located thatit is positioned Within said ttingfor communication with said tting discharge opening when the valve is closed and is positioned externally of said fitting wall portion when said valve is open; a vent conduit Within said tank connected to said steminwardly-oi saidcvalve; and a. plunger, slidably. positioned in the bore of said stemnormally closing saidvent opening, saidplunger being slidable outwardlyto open saidvent when thelatter is Within the-fit@ ting. and in communication with'l saidfitting dis-- charge opening..

10.; A self-venting liquid valve comprising: a

tubular tting having a closed end andan open end, said fittingA being adapted to beattachedto atankwith the open end thereofv in communica tionWith the interior of saidtank, saidy ttingbeing formed with aV coaxial internal valve seat andwith an unobstructedv discharge opening cute Wardly of.. saidA valve seat; an axiallymovable-l tubular.v stem.. projecting; am'ally.. of said; fitting through. said fitting. end Wall andiv having aV por.-Vv

tionwithin said iitting provided withi a. poppet valvel which is. adapted to-.coact with said' valve seat, said stembeing formed withl a-vent opening Which is so locatedfthatitis positioned within' said' fitting for. communication with i said i fitting discharge opening when the valveis closedl and` 9 and with an unobstructed discharge opening outwardly of said valve seat; an axially movable tubular stem projecting axially of said fitting through said fitting end wall and having a portion within said tting provided with a poppet valve which is adapted to coact with said valve seat, said stem .being formed with a, vent opening which is so located that it is positioned within said fitting for communication with said iitting discharge opening when the valve is closed and is positioned externally of said iitting end wall when said valve is open; a vent conduit within said tank connected to said stem inwardly of said valve; a plunger slidably positioned in the bore of said stem and normally closing said vent; and means including a manually operable bonnet coacting with said fitting for releasably holding said plunger and said poppet valve in closed position.

12. A self-venting liquid valve comprising: a tubular iitting having an open end, said fitting being adapted to be attached to a, tank with the open end thereof in communication with the interior of said tank, said tting being formed with an internal valve seat and with an unobstructed discharge opening outwardly of said valve seat; a movably mounted tubular stem projecting through a wall portion of said fitting and having a portion within said fitting provided with a valve which is adapted to coact with said valve seat, said stem being formed with a vent opening which is so located that it is positioned within said fitting for communication with said tting discharge opening when the valve is closed and is positioned externally of said tting wall portion when said valve is open; a vent conduit within said tank connected to said stem inwardly of said valve; a plunger slidably positioned in the bore of said stem and normally closing said vent opening; and a manually operable bonnet on the cuter end of said stem having a portion connected to said plunger, said bonnet` being threadedly engageable with the fitting to releasably hold said plunger and poppet valve in closed position.

13. A self-venting liquid valve comprising: a tubular fitting having an open end, said iitting being adapted to be attached to a, tank with the open end thereof in communication with the interior .of said tank, said tting being formed with an internal valve seat and with an unobstructed discharge opening outwardly of said valve seat; a movably mounted tubular stem projecting through a wall portion of said fitting and having a portion within said fitting provided with a valve which is adapted to coact with said valve seat, said stem being formed with a vent opening which is so located that it is positioned within said tting for communication with said iitting discharge opening when the valve is closed and is positioned externally of said tting wall portion when said valve is open; a vent conduit within said tank connected to said stem inwardly of said valve; a plunger slidably positioned in the bore of said stem, there being an annular seat formed on the interior of said stem inwardly of said vent opening and forming a valve seat with which the inner end of said plunger is adapted to coact to close off the interior of said stem; and means for releasably holding said valve and said plunger against their respective seats.

14. A self-venting liquid valve comprising: a tubular iitting having an open end, said fitting being adapted to be attached to a tank with the open end thereof in communication with the interior of said tank, said itting being formed with an internal valve seat and with an unobstructed discharge opening outwardly of said valve seat; a movably mounted tubular stem projecting through a wall portion of said fitting and having a portion within said iitting provided with a valve which is adapted to coact with said valve seat, said stem being formed with a vent opening which is so located that it is positioned within said fitting for communication with said iitting discharge opening when the valve is closed and is positioned externally of said fitting Wall portion when said valve is open; a vent conduit within said tank connected to said stem inwardly of said valve; a plunger slidably positioned in the bore of said stem, there being an annular seat formed on the interior of said stem inwardly of said vent opening and forming a valve seat with which the inner end of said plunger is adapted to coact to close 01T the interior of said stem; and means including a cap threadedly engageable with said tting for releasably holding said valve and said plunger against their respective seats.

JOHN B. McCABE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 

